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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Positive Labour Stories

35 replies

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 22:21

I'm 37 weeks now and growing more and more scared of labour as the days fly by. I thought it'd be a good idea to inform myself of all things labour/birth related, but I've only read the horrible stories/seen the freaky videos. I know it's not going to be a walk in the park, not by any stretch, but would love to hear stories of labours that went well and if you have any tips at all regarding how to achieve this. I know being calm helps, but it's a futile exercise at the moment. Not possible at all. Thanks.

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neverlookback · 25/07/2013 22:35

Aw bless u please try not to be scared, I was with my first but I now have 3 and the labour is not what puts me off a 4th!
It does hurt and it is scary but what helped with all 3 (just g&a and 2 water births) is to keep talking to yourself in your head telling yourself you can do it, this is what your body was made for an every contraction you get though is one closer to the stage when your body automatically pushes, I tried to count me breathing slowly, water really helped me and calmed me down, so get in the bath or birthing pool and try it, tell your dp to keep reminding you that you can do it and soon you will have your baby, try to keep in control, it's hard but so god damn worth it when you have your precious baby in your arms that you grew and fed and delivered!
Aw I want to do it again!!
Good luck you will be fine xxx

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 22:56

Thanks so much for that. Some great tips there to help me focus the mind. I guess part of it is that I just can't believe how quickly it's come around and I'm so close to meeting my baby now. It was a long struggle for us to get here, so there's a huge amount banking on this baby and I guess that puts me under a bit more pressure. I'll definitely bear your tips in mind. Thanks.

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funchum8am · 25/07/2013 23:02

Had an epidural after induction...it was the nicest thing that ever happened to me! Seriously, if you feel you are close to not coping the epidural option is there but you may be fine without. And baby makes up for it all the moment they arrive, if nothing goes wrong. Good luck!

williwonti · 25/07/2013 23:05

I was induced at 42wks and had a 10llb-er and Yes, it hurts like hell, of course it does BUT what helped me(at time and in hindsight) - tens machine got me through until quite late on (lloyds pharmacy one) talking myself through it a lot, cold cold flannels (take in an ice pack) and biting on the gas and air mouthpiece. Don't read the war stories, every single birth experience is individual, just know your body will do its thing.

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:06

Yes, definitely, the epidural sounds like heaven! I absolutely won't be saying no to that if I feel like I need it. Thanks.

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Sl1nkyMalinki · 25/07/2013 23:08

Ah bless you!

We are all different and we all cope in different ways.

Yes, it hurts! Of course it does, but how you manage it is up to you. I would have loved an epi but sadly (luckily?!) my body does labour super fast so by the time it was painful, I was already pushing.

Every push takes you closer to your baby and the end of the pain so when your body (or the midwife if you've had an epi) says PUSH, just give it everything you've got :D

Then when your baby is lying all hot and a bit slippery all across your chest, just bask in the glory :)

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:08

Thanks williwonti. Yeah, I ordered a Tens machine this evening, so hopefully I won't go into labour before it arrives! I'm just so worried I'll panic and not be able for it. I can't even cope with constipation pains!! Am a lightweight!

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RNJ3007 · 25/07/2013 23:09

Clary sage oil on a flannel was bliss. Birthing ball was great and helped me relax. And lots of counter pressure on my hips from my DH.

I'm freakishly chilled about labour #2 (due in 5w!)

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:10

Thanks Sl1nky. You make it sound so easy!

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Sl1nkyMalinki · 25/07/2013 23:10

Honestly, you'll cope! We're designed for this!

And you know what, if you don't have the fabled 'natural' birth, or you have to have a c section, the absolute most important thing is the health of you and your baby.

Good luck! :)

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:10

RNJ3007, where would I get clary sage oil? In health food shop?

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Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:12

Yeah Sl1nky, I just can't wait for the baby to be here now so I can just enjoy him/her and stop freaking myself out about the labour! And, so I can reach my toes again

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OnTheRunFromTheAcademe · 25/07/2013 23:12

Take a look at tellmeagoodbirthstory.com (sorry can't link from my phone). Lots of positive birth stories on there!

I had a home water birth. No pain relief. Six hours start to finish. No tearing. Worst part of it was leg cramps from squatting in the pool for too long. Next day felt a bit like I'd been kicked in the arse by a horse, but recovery was very quick and everything completely back to normal within a few days

RNJ3007 · 25/07/2013 23:14

Yeah, I got mine in Holland and Barrett! Got it packed in my hospital bag again this time!

You can mix it with lavender too (but lavender makes me unwell!)

Will probably sprinkle it on DH's shirt this time too, he's easier to keep track of ;)

SnowDaze · 25/07/2013 23:19

I had a fabulous experience. All the usual craziness 30 hour + labour but it was wonderful.

I was very skeptical of breathing and mediation techniques and admit to scoffing at them while I was pregnant. But releasing and relaxing during contractions was amazingly effective.

Just remember that you and your body were built to do this. Your body knows what to do (just the same way it knows how to grow a baby). It won't let you down. If you require a section your body will be ready for that too.

I've never felt so strong and vital and found the whole thing mind blowing.
I would also say don't make any decisions up front, you never know how you'll feel. I eventually asked for an epidural just to get some sleep :)

And also don't be afraid to ask questions and speak your mind.

Finally did you know you get a baby at the end? For some reason that shocked me.

Best of luck and enjoy the whole thing. Nothing else comes close

Original poster

Ficidy · 25/07/2013 23:26

Thanks so much... You probably don't believe this, but you are all really helping me to calm down!!

SnowDaze, I totally get what you mean about the baby at the end. It still feels really surreal to me!

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thecakeisalie · 25/07/2013 23:30

I enjoyed the labour with ds2. I had no pain relief as they said I wasn't in established labour so we went off for a walk in the hospital. I progressed from 3cm to 10cm in about an 1hr 30mins and got back to the antenatal ward just in time. So although it was a bit naff being rushed to a private room because I got the urge to bear down before they could get me to the labour ward, the labour itself was fantastic. I'm not scared about giving birth this time at all as I know I can cope. I will be avoiding too much monitoring and waiting for that urge to push to come naturally as I literally pushed for about 3mins and he was out. Such a positive experience.

Overall I feel lucky to have had two fairly straight forward labours and view them both as positive experiences. What I would say is go in it with as few expectations as possible and be prepared for your ideas on what you want to change. I always prepared myself for the thought of a c-section or labour not progressing how I wanted so it meant I didn't feel any feelings of disappointment and just accepted the experiences for what they were.

GampyWabbit · 25/07/2013 23:38

I had 3 wonderful and quick labours.

First one was in hospital -A friend had advised me to keep moving and walking, so I did!! I didn't realise how quickly things were progressing and by the time I'd walked to the delivery suite I started pushing spontaneously before even meeting the midwife or finding the G&A! Dd was out in a couple of pushes with no need for any stitches.

Ds and dd2 were both homebirths. Again I kept mobile and labour was over in a couple of hours without needing G&A or stitches.

All were great experiences.

GampyWabbit · 25/07/2013 23:41

thecake that sounds identical to my first birth experience!!

Hashtagwhatever · 25/07/2013 23:49

I have done it four times, I will give you my best experience.

Ds1. Arrived at the birthing unit and examined was 8cm so took to the pool all very calm and relaxing.

My waters went and ds had passed meconium so I had to get out of the pool. Stayed up right till had dp sitting on a chair and myself of my knees infront of him head in his lap. The contractions did most of the work so out popped his head. Two pushes at most and ds was here.

No unbearable pain involved so no pain relief. Was a lovely peaceful birth. Hth

Good luck x

Original poster

Ficidy · 26/07/2013 00:01

Thanks everyone. Hugely appreciate all the help and advice! You've really helped a crazy lady to get a grip of herself!

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DaveMccave · 26/07/2013 00:47

I found ina may gaskins guide to childbirth really great. May be a bit too hippy for some, but at least half the book is positive birth stories, great to pick up and read the odd one or two when you are feeling anxious.

littleoaktree · 26/07/2013 01:10

I was v worried before dc1 as have a low pain threshold too. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I'd feared, v quick, 2.5hrs in established labour, too quick to have an epidural (even though I kept asking the mw to give me one). Only had gas and air, had a little tear but nothing much.

Dc2 was even easier and a wonderful experience. 45mims established labour and not even time for gas and air which actually meant that I properly experienced each stage of the pushing and dc2 being born. He was put straight onto me and we cuddled and he bf for a while before they cut the cord which was v nice and more relaxed than the first birth (birth centre as opposed to hospital) didn't tear at all and back home within a few hours. tbh the worst bit was the rectal examination afterwards dh said I made a lot more fuss about that than the whole of labour

Yes it hurts like nothing else but it's a positive pain.

Good luck!

thegoldenfool · 26/07/2013 09:53

even though I ended up with an EMCS I still think I had a positive experience - I had a lovely baby

just missed being induced, very painful contractions for 12 hours, 6 with G and A, an epidural (wonderful - after about 3 hours I could talk to my DP again!), still only 2cm dilated and then the section for fetal distress

however at all points the midwives and doctors etc talked to me about what was going on, adjusted their plans depending on what was happening and I felt that the right things happened in my situation

you cannot plan what will happen, so keep an open mind and make sure your DH/DP understands the terminology and what you would prefer so they can speak for you if you are a bit distracted!

LaRosaBella · 26/07/2013 09:59

My dad was a water birth with no pain relief at home in 6 hours and was back to back. I actually enjoyed the birth it hurt but not anywhere near as much as I thought it would, my SPD during pregnancy was worse!

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